Norman Eric Kirk

A cabinetmaker’s son, Kirk ended his formal education in primary school and held such jobs as apprentice fitter and turner and as foreman with the Railways Department. He joined the New Zealand Labour Party in 1943, was mayor of Kaiapoi (1953–57), and entered parliament in 1957. He became leader of his party in 1964. As prime minister, Kirk stressed the need for regional economic development and affirmed New Zealand’s solidarity with Australia in adopting a foreign policy more independent of the United States. In 1973 he strongly opposed French nuclear tests in the Pacific.